Water samples from five public beaches around Puget Sound, the location of the Seattle metropolis have tested positive for the deadly drug resistant staphylococcus aureus. Also known as the "flesh eater bacteria", s. aureus infections have proven the bane of hospitals and nursing homes. Another form of the same bacteria can cause serious pneumonia in otherwise healthy people. The likely source is sewage {8.27.09}, but more research is needed to pinpoint the origin of the contamination. A professor of health science from the University of Washington at Seattle said Friday in San Francisco that someone digging in the sand or being completely covered with it could be at risk for contracting MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus). The scientist also said that people with open wounds should also be very careful when playing on the contaminated beaches.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Deadly Germ Found on Beaches
Water samples from five public beaches around Puget Sound, the location of the Seattle metropolis have tested positive for the deadly drug resistant staphylococcus aureus. Also known as the "flesh eater bacteria", s. aureus infections have proven the bane of hospitals and nursing homes. Another form of the same bacteria can cause serious pneumonia in otherwise healthy people. The likely source is sewage {8.27.09}, but more research is needed to pinpoint the origin of the contamination. A professor of health science from the University of Washington at Seattle said Friday in San Francisco that someone digging in the sand or being completely covered with it could be at risk for contracting MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus). The scientist also said that people with open wounds should also be very careful when playing on the contaminated beaches.